Universal Languages (1911 Encyclopedia) UNIVERSAL LANGUAGES. The inconveniences resulting from the diversity of languages have been felt since the dawn of civilization. Even the most gifted linguist cannot master more than a comparatively small number of languages, and has to rely more or less on interpreters in his intercourse with speakers of foreign languages. The question of the adoption of a common language becomes, therefore, more and more pressing. The first step in constructing an artificial language is to settle what sounds it is to contain. The answer, of course, is: (H. S.)